The Red Sox are also known to be interested in current Toronto Blue Jays manager and former Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell. Other names mentioned as part of the search to replace Bobby Valentine include former San Diego Padres catcher Brad Ausmus and Blue Jays first base coach Torey Lovullo.

Wallach, 55, is a former All-Star third baseman. He managed the Dodgers' Triple-A team for two seasons.

YANKEES: The father of New York manager Joe Girardi has died.

The Deiters Funeral Home says Jerry Girardi died Saturday at 81. He had suffered from Alzheimer's disease since the 1990s and died in Metamora, Ill. A funeral is scheduled for Monday in Peoria.

INDIANS: Outfielder Michael Brantley has had successful surgery to repair a sports hernia.

The Indians said Brantley had the operation Thursday in Philadelphia. Brantley is expected to need between three and six weeks to recover. Brantley is not expected to be restricted once he begins his offseason conditioning program.

OBITUARY: Former major league John Summers has died in Ocala. He was 66.

Starting in 1974, Summers played 10 seasons in the majors for six different teams. He finished his career with a .255 batting average, 54 home runs and 218 RBIs.

After finally giving up his dream of winning the Kentucky Derby, preferably as a horse, Martin Fennelly has returned to his love of more than two decades, writing about the people and teams who make Tampa sports go.